North Gwinnett to Stick With Two-Quarterback System, “We Punished Running Backs and Wide Receivers”
For North Gwinnett head coach Eric Godfree, there was much to like about his team’s season-opening performance in the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic‘s opening day nightcap, which was all Bulldogs all night long.
ITG Next spoke with Godfree Thursday morning following his team’s 37-22 win over Grayson at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday night.
Godfree said he was most pleased with his team’s all-around physicality.
“Offensively, I was most impressed with how our offensive line held up to their big defensive linemen and our execution in the passing game,” Godfree said. “Defensively, I was most impressed with our physical style of play.”
Then, matter-of-factly, he said, “We punished running backs and wide receivers.”
Godfree spoke about the execution of the passing game, which saw the North Gwinnett offense use two quarterbacks.
Starting southpaw quarterback Elam Rahman was almost perfect, completing 8-of-9 passes for three touchdowns and 147 yards.
Junior quarterback Banks Halcomb, a right-hander, got a few snaps throughout the game, completing 3-of-5 passes for 20 yards. He also rushed for 15 yards on three carries.
Godfree said to look for Halcomb to continue to get a few snaps in relief of starter Rahman.
“Yes, he’ll still get snaps,” Godfree said of Halcomb. “He’s a great quarterback too but didn’t play quite as well as Elam last night.”
Godfree then said what was obvious to everyone watching the game: “Elam was lights out last night.”
Wide receivers Christian Jackson and Evan Hawkins were lights out too. They each had three receptions, with Jackson scoring two touchdowns and Hawkins scoring one.
Linebacker Jake Godfree was handing out much of the punishment that the head coach spoke about from his defense. Jake Godfree had five tackles to lead the team, including a sack, and came away with an interception returned for a touchdown on a pass he tipped to himself and took to the house 56 yards for the pick six.
This win was North Gwinnett’s fourth in a row over Grayson.
